Customer Reviews

Sefronia

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sefronia is a tough album to understand in 2003. It is marred by an over intrusive, LA 70's production which seems to pop up and attempt to suck the meaning and poignancy out of the songs. I'm a huge Tim Buckley fan and although the tail end of Tim's career isn't my favourite this album is still worth purchasing if your a casual Tim fan. The reason this album might be appreciated by non- Tim afficenados (I'm not being patronising!) is that Tim's voice whatever it's condition is a captivating instrument and this album presents it in an easily digestible way. In an ideal world everybody would love 'Lorca' and 'Starsailor' but for most people appreciating these albums would have to come after a blossoming love for the soul of Tim Buckley; hence this record is not a bad sampler/introduction although it is hardly a representative overview of his work (it should be noted that at present even 'Morning Glory. Anthology' is not wholly representative of the dramatic evolution of his muse.)

There are some good songs here: Dolphins, Martha, Because Of You, Quicksand and the two parts of the title track, Sefronia. The song Sefronia is in my opinion the greatest of his work POST - Starsailor. It is beautifully arranged, with subtle hints of African instrumentation backing Tim's GORGEOUS vocal; all this is encapsulated by a string-arrangement that rather than detract from the core song, interwines with it; Superb! In short Sefronia could well be a way to fall in love with Tim Buckley especially if the listener appreciates that Tim was battling against a record company who wished him to bring his music into the MOR and drape it in, what is now, a dated 70s production.
For the seasoned Tim fan I won't lie to you, many of the songs on Sefronia receive a better outing on other T Buckley albums. There are a few excellent versions of Dolphins performed by Tim Buckley availible: the one on 'Dream Letter '68' is the one I fell in love with first and is stripped to it's core melody and wonderful rhythmic drive. The version that appears on 'Honeyman (live in New York)' is similar to the version on Sefronia yet without the production flourishes, backing vocals or overdubs; it retains a stark electrified beauty, simultaneously funk and folky! Dolphins on 'Once I Was' was recorded by the BBC when Tim came to England to promote 'Sefronia' and shares a similar feel to it's studio version although Tim drops his voice into a luxuriously deep, yearning lower register which really does capture the essence of Fred Neil's original. It might seem as though I have gone off on a tangent somewhat but I belive my above comments cast a light on a few of the problems that stop 'Sefronia' being a great album rather than just a good one.
More stripped down (and FOR ME more beautiful) versions of Because Of You and Sefronia do exist on 'The Dream Belongs To Me'. It should be noted however that the best way to appreciate Tim is to listen to his studio albums in sequence (if you use your initiative you will be able to listen to 'Blue Afternoon' and 'Starsailor' which are two INCREDIBLE albums.) Then listen to the live albums in sequence (all are EXCEPTIONAL and availible on amazon!) and finally get his albums 'Once I Was' and 'The Dream Belongs To Me' to see the greatest popular music male vocalist/artist of them all.

I have never understood why critics are hard on this album. Tim was destroyed by the reception given his masterworks (Starsailor & Blue Afternoon, which continue to be maddenly out-of-print), so then offered us his version of popular music in "Greetings From L.A." and "Sefronia." Every cut here is impassioned with Tim's never-to-be-matched-again voice. Every selection deserved Tim's interpretation. Would anyone want LESS music from this man? "Dolphins" is here. A beautiful reading of Tom Waits's "Martha." The funky dance of "Honeyman" is here. The only duet Tim recorded ("I Know I'd Recognize Your Face"). Truly, the only reason to give this CD less than 5 stars is to compare it to Starsailor & Blue Afternoon - but the music of an artist like Tim Buckley transcends any ratings system. Buy this CD and ready yourself to be amazed by what a voice can do.

This is a great album from Tim Buckleys later career. I don't know how else to say it. The best tracks are, Dolphins, Honey Man, Peanut Man, Martha, Quicksand, I Know I'd Recognize Your Face, Stone In Love, and Sally Go Round the Roses. Another note about Peanut Man. It's probably the best song on this great record. It's beat is very infectious. Martha is beautiful. If you're used to Tims earlier stuff I recommend that you try this album but beware you may be shocked at first. Bottom line, buy this album, and have fun enjoying it.

I am a big Tim Buckley fan and have all (available) albums of his. This album was criticised at the time of release as a bit of a half-hearted effort and some critics even said he'd run out of songwriting ideas as it includes cover versions for the first time. It's true this is definately not Tim's best album but I do genuinely like all the tracks and the cover versions he does: Dolphins (finally a studio recording of his beloved live song)and Martha (really moving singing ->listen to the penultimate "those were days of roses..." He's made quite a few changes from Tom Wait's original). The duet I Know I'd Recognize your Face is a good song, no doubt it was no coincidence that it contains the line "Daddy, you have a son who's never seen you..he looks just like you". The self-penned two-part song Sefronia is excellent and I find Tim's singing on almost all tracks is outstandingly rich and in places gorgeously deep as well. I wouldn't recommend this as a starting place for getting into Tim's music, rather this is an essential part of any Tim Buckley fan's collection. Miss out on this one at your peril!!!

The tragedy for our truly great popular recording ARTISTS has been the steadfast refusal of the pop audience to accept their musical growth as it occurs. The fact that most people do not evolve at the same pace as these artists is no reason to denegrate their works. For the reviewer from Hong Kong I respectfully suggest that his mark is more a reflection of his own musical limitations and not those of this amazingly agile singer.

Tim Buckley reinvented himself several times along the way--and, apparently, always away from the money. I thought he was actually coming around with this release. I bought it instantly and although miles away from the first few sets it sounded contemporary. What did I know? With the exception of the title song it was rather straight. And straight ahead. Amazing vocals. Pretty good songs. What the ? It may seem a trifle desperate attempting any kind of MOR, but he did it with some panache. Sadly, most of the audience was gone. He innovated himself out of a job. Innovatively. Sefronia, the song, was brilliantly beautiful both melodically and substantively. Hauntingly. Dolphins always welcome and a great intro to the record. Honeyman, Because of You, Quicksand, Stone in Love--even Sally Go 'round the Roses. A very underrated outing. In his list of titles it's always one I'm happy to play.

Tim Buckley's phenomenal range is displayed on this sometimes mediocre, sometimes stunning album. "Dolphins" is an incredible cover that was one of Buckley's favorites in concert; the rest is a mixed bag distorted by overproduction and an abysmal backing band (complete with female singers!). "Honeyman" is a funky rocker but seems contrived. Few other songs are of note except the gorgeous initial "Serfonia" which shows Buckley's talent and superior gift for musical/lyrical ability as compared to his often unrealistically admired son. "Sally Go 'Round the Roses" is a nice closure to an overall average album. However, it is worth buying due to Buckley's incredible power to make even the worst song in the most cliched arrangement sound fresh and angst ridden.

I discovered Tim thru his son Jeff, and was blown away on how great his father Tim was as a matter of fact I bought all 3 albums that have R&B,Funk,Soul Sound, Sefronia+Look at the Fool and Greeting's from L.A.. I made the purchase as MP3 as couldn't wait for the cd's and needed this FUNK on my ipod! I don't understand how the flower power and and Tim's so called fan base said he sold out??? If he sold his soul to FUNK then so be it this is some great nasty funk way ahead of it's freaking time. The man could sing his ass off and play guitar what a talent, i'm glad I introduced myself to Tim Buckley.

Don't beleive the hype. This album, near the end of Tim Buckley's too short career, gets trashed. Why? Good question.

After folk, Goodbye and Hello, jazz,Happy Sad avant gaurd,Starsailor, Lorca and funk, Greetings from L.A., Buckley made a rock and roll album.

This is not his most experimental or revolartory, but his voice is in fine form and the playing is great: He is still reaching those highs with his operatic tremalo.

It is not a given style that makes Buckley a master--it is the passion. He FELT his music.

What more can we ask of any artist.

After 30+ years, this music still stands the test of time. It is original, passionate, somewhat erotic, and the quality of Buckley's voice defies comparison.